BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 15. Today, a nationwide
referendum is being held in Kazakhstan, Trend reports.


The corresponding decree was signed by the President of
Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on February 11. The issue put to
the vote concerns the adoption of a new Constitution.


The referendum in Kazakhstan is regarded as one of the most
important stages of the constitutional reform.


The information ballot will contain the question: “Do you adopt
the new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the draft of
which was published in the media on February 12, 2026?” Two
response options are offered: “Yes, I adopt” and “No, I do not
adopt”.


Thus, citizens are voting for the entire text of the new
Constitution rather than for individual amendments.


The draft of the new Constitution was prepared taking into
account proposals from citizens, political parties, public
organizations, and experts received during the public
discussion.


The draft places special emphasis on human rights and freedoms,
while sovereignty, independence, the unitary nature of the state,
and the country’s territorial integrity are defined as fundamental
immutable values.







Among the key provisions of the draft Constitution is the
establishment of a new unicameral Parliament — the Kurultai —
consisting of 145 deputies with renewed and expanded powers. Its
formation will be based on a proportional electoral system, and the
term of office of deputies will be five years.


One of the innovations of the draft is the establishment of the
institution of the Vice President and the creation of a new
platform for nationwide dialogue, the “People’s Council of
Kazakhstan” (Qazaqstan Halyq Kenesi).


Citizens of Kazakhstan who have reached the age of 18 and
possess active voting rights are eligible to participate in the
referendum.


The organization of the referendum has been entrusted to the
country’s Central Election Commission. It performs the functions of
the Central Referendum Commission as well as territorial and
precinct referendum commissions.


Polling stations will operate from 7:00 to 20:00 local time.


A total of 12,461,796 citizens have been included in the lists
of referendum participants.